Friday, May 9, 2008

Reach out and touch a hurtin' Anglican this weekend

We spend so much time sparring with perceived enemies. But a reading from today's Morning Prayer (1928 lectionary) reminds me that we also unleash divine power by lifting up the wounded.Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance,with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.Isaiah 35:3-6, emphasis addedSo c'mon - drop a note, give a call, send an email, have coffee - reach out to one of your struggling Anglican friends this weekend. Speak of the Savior, who is so much greater than "the current unpleasantness."

7 comments:

Interesting connection, Tim+. But as a biblical scholar, I can't help pointing out that the word "then" that you have highlighted twice in the quote from Isa. 35 primarily refers to the promised "coming" of the LORD.

That is, when He comes in might, THEN shall the eyes of the blind be opened etc.

But that exegetical point doesn't rule out the sort of creative application of the text that you've made. I hope that doesn't come across as "nit picky" or critical. It certainly wasn't intended in such negative fashion.

David+ not nit picky at all! Attention to Biblical detail is the antidote to revisionism, after all.

Jesus says, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matthew 24:14) The kerygma is the precursor to the divine action. I think that our lives contain "rehearsals" of the ultimate, as when Paul speaks of "dying daily."

So, you are absolutely right that Is. 35 points to the coming of Messiah. But just as Passover/Exodus pointed to the restoration from the Exile and on to the Passion and Resurrection (and on to the last things), so I would say that the preaching of the kingdom brings forth signs of the kingdom... Paul said that his preaching would be validated not by evidence but by demonstrated power.

Joe - same to you, and many times over! Thanks for the joy of your comment - it is felt here and is a blessing.

prairiewords - again tempting me to envy? I am jealous of your time with this Godly Bishop, of your celebration of new ministry, and of your joyful freedom!

I love to see Biblical passages which remind me of sacred music, viz, the second Isaiah text which Handel set to his "Messiah." By calling up the strains of "Every valley shall be exalted" you have brought comforting words and the music (in my head) to go with them.

As followers of Jesus Christ we are to be compassionate to all yet uncompromising in our desfense of the Gospel. These are not contradictions.

An example is Fr. Rick Lobs going to serve as interim priest at Trinity Vero Beach. His heart is with the leavers in many ways, but his duty is to the stayers. Pray for him! (Read about this at http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/article.php?storyid=8216